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Topic Review (Newest First)

01-07-2012 07:49 AM

Ndstrctbl

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViperThreat

Aiming HIDs is an artform, it took me a few nights worth of tweaking to get mine right. Properly aimed HIDs have the cutoff line exactly level. even 1 degree up, or one degree down can mess the whole thing up. When properly aimed, there is still enough general output to light up signs and items above the cutoff line, but not so brightly as to be dangerous to oncoming traffic.

It sure does take a lot of work. Once I got mine right, its like I can't really see the end of beam pattern. I get flashed sometimes...but thats cause retrofitting doesn't include auto levellers. So sometimes going over hills I get a flash but once I'm over it they stop flashing me. But I couldn't be happier.

01-06-2012 05:15 PM

ViperThreat

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranger_mclaren

That's why I hate HIDs. The sharp cut off, it's cut off is about 35-40 feet in front of you. If you coming up on a hill you can't see it till your on top of it. Same with deer I want to have more than 40 feet to stop at 55 mph if a deer walks out if front of me. Pointless if you ask me. I'll stick with my halogens. I need to take a video with my in-laws Hyundai horrible HIDs. I like the halogens cause you can see ruffly 80-100 feet in front of ya easily and what the light can't reach you still get reflections from eyes, signs. The HID anything past 40 feet is pitch black.

Aiming HIDs is an artform, it took me a few nights worth of tweaking to get mine right. Properly aimed HIDs have the cutoff line exactly level. even 1 degree up, or one degree down can mess the whole thing up. When properly aimed, there is still enough general output to light up signs and items above the cutoff line, but not so brightly as to be dangerous to oncoming traffic.

01-06-2012 03:39 AM

TheGlassMaker

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViperThreat

Brighter headlights doesnt necessarily mean better vision. When headlights get brighter, your eyes adjust for the contrast, and though you can see whats illuminated, the things that arent as lit up become impossible for the human eye to see as it cant adjust for both the brightly illuminated areas, and the dim areas at the same time,

Going even brighter than 35w makes that sensation even worse, to the point where, above your cutoff line, its simply pitch black. To the left and the right of the beam, black. Its funny how brighter lights can make you feel even more confined.

Either way, im not trying to say dont get them, just be aware that they arent going to light up the world in the way that you think they will.

That's why I hate HIDs. The sharp cut off, it's cut off is about 35-40 feet in front of you. If you coming up on a hill you can't see it till your on top of it. Same with deer I want to have more than 40 feet to stop at 55 mph if a deer walks out if front of me. Pointless if you ask me. I'll stick with my halogens. I need to take a video with my in-laws Hyundai horrible HIDs. I like the halogens cause you can see ruffly 80-100 feet in front of ya easily and what the light can't reach you still get reflections from eyes, signs. The HID anything past 40 feet is pitch black.

01-06-2012 12:22 AM

ViperThreat

Simple answer: if you don't want to fork over the cash to do it right, then dont bother.

Long answer: Ebay projectors, not the headlights, but the actual projecter element themselves are not very high quality. They produce uneven beams of light, and as a result, produce less usable light than the stock reflector headlights. Putting HIDs in these housings does not improve this as the housings are not designed to withstand the heat that HID bulbs produce. Before long, the reflective surface inside of the projector burns and bubbles, which reduces light output even more, and causes even worse patterns in the beam throw. Either way, you end up with less light than a OEM headlamp.

By retrofitting these headlights, i am effectively removing all of the actual light-emanating components and replacing them with equipment designed to handle HIDs.

This is a matter of some debate on the forums, and the rules are not to argue over it, so i wont say anything about what i think of people who take the cheap route. But, i will say this:

Putting HIDs in (reflector OR projector) housings that are not SPECIFICALLY designed for them is Illegal, Dangerous to oncoming drivers, and does not (no matter how you want to argue it) produce more usable light than halogen reflector OEM housings.

So, either fork over the cash for a proper HID setup, or stick OEM.

01-05-2012 10:44 PM

kwillett

hey, did the HID's fit before u did surgery on these headlights? I'm not planning on spending a ton of cash and kind of just want some cheap 6000k hits just for low beams? have any suggestions?? point me in the right direction. and do u have a resistor? my drivers side low beam keeps blowing h1's? I've got the same housings.

01-05-2012 10:34 PM

Blue5ive

Quote:

Originally Posted by austinpetemo

Thanks for the input. On your lights, there are a couple different brands, some are 150, some are 200, some are more. They all look the same though, are they all the same or is one better than another?

I've seen the lights Viper has range in price from $135-$300 for the exact same light. Some places get better wholesale pricing than others and some places are just trying to take advantage of people.

01-05-2012 10:16 PM

austinpetemo

Thanks for the input. On your lights, there are a couple different brands, some are 150, some are 200, some are more. They all look the same though, are they all the same or is one better than another?

01-05-2012 09:46 PM

ViperThreat

Quote:

Originally Posted by austinpetemo

Not sure which of these lights to use, i really like yours, but there is another pair that are cool. Are the turn signals good on your setup?

These ones have 2 lights on the sides, a turn signal and a driving light, i would convert that into 2 turn signals if i get it. Opinions?

I actually had that set before i bought these, they are in my little picture under my name, you cant tell though because i blacked them out. Those didnt fit right, the halos and stuff all burned out after a few weeks, and after a year, the lenses were hazed and cracking on the inside and out.

The ones i have now still look brand new, everything works, and though the fitment isnt quite OEM, its alot better than those that you just posted. Also, coming from the "I owned them once" standpoint, i can say that those look and are rice, these have a much more sophisticated look to them.

01-05-2012 09:28 PM

austinpetemo

Not sure which of these lights to use, i really like yours, but there is another pair that are cool. Are the turn signals good on your setup?

These ones have 2 lights on the sides, a turn signal and a driving light, i would convert that into 2 turn signals if i get it. Opinions?

01-05-2012 07:14 PM

austinpetemo

Thanks for all the help guys, and ya whenever I tell people my story it gets some laugh, I myself laugh at it even though when it happened I about crapped my pants.

Anyways, as a broke college student Im gonna have to scrounge up the cash to do this retrofit, Ive got about $80 right now, but after i sell some crap that is lying around i should have a couple hundred.

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